If you are interested in information on gardening public demonstration gardens around the Bay Area offer residents beautiful real-life examples of how to be water-wise by landscaping wisely. A list of these public garden locations can be found on the Santa Clara Valley Water District website.

Water-Efficient Landscaping Workshops
Offered each spring to Santa Clara County residents, this FREE workshop series covers practical information such as water-saving garden design, plant selection and landscape maintenance. The classes are taught by landscape experts. For information, call the Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 630-2554.

Landscape Rebate ProgramThe Landscape Rebate Program is designed to assist homeowners and commercial, industrial and institutional property owners increase their outdoor water use efficiency by converting qualifying high water use landscape and/or upgrading to qualifying high efficiency irrigation equipment. Simple changes in plant type and irrigation methods can greatly reduce the water required for an attractive landscape. There are many plants that use surprisingly little water. There are also several irrigation equipment upgrades that can increase your irrigation system’s efficiency which can result in saving water and saving money. The District’s Landscape Conversion Rebate Program offers $1.00 per square foot for converting high water using landscape (i.e. irrigated turf or functional swimming pool) to low water using landscape. Irrigation hardware upgrades for the installation of high efficiency equipment as also available. For more information call the District’s Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 630-2554.

Landscape Survey Program Since 1994, the Santa Clara Valley Water District has been helping landscape mangers improve their sites’ irrigation efficiency. Through the innovative Landscape Survey Program, surveyors perform FREE site evaluations to assist property owners on how to better manage their site’s landscape water usage. These surveys have shown potential savings of up to $1,000 per year per acre of landscape. Any school, park, other CII, or multi-family residential landscape ½ acre or greater may be eligible to receive a complimentary landscape survey. Surveys are available Monday through Saturday at your convenience. For more information, please call the Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 630-2554.

Water Wise Outdoor Survey Program

Nearly half of a resident’s water use goes to their outdoor irrigation system, so having your irrigation system in good shape can help reduce your water usage. The Santa Clara Valley Water District is offering a free outdoor irrigation survey to single family homes and small multi-family sites (less than ½ acre). In order to sign up for this program, the site must have at least 1 valve operated irrigation zone. Homes that only use a hose or portable sprinkler to irrigate their landscape will not be eligible. If interested in scheduling an inspection, please visit the Santa Clara Valley Water District's Website or call their conservation hotline at (408) 630-2554.

Graywater Laundry to Landscape Rebate Program

The Santa Clara Valley Water District provides a Graywater Laundry to Landscape rebate of $200 per residential site for properly connecting a clothes washer to a graywater irrigation system based on the completion of the program requirements. Additionally, the City of Santa Clara will cover the cost of the building permit required to install a laundry to landscape system. For more information or to pre-qualify and receive a Graywater Laundry to Landscape Rebate Program Application, please email Conservation@valleywater.org or call (408) 630-2554.

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